Board Guarantees Water Deal Funds

ISLE OF WIGHT — After defending the closed-door negotiations, the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors voted 4-1Thursday to financially back a $146 million deal to buy water from Norfolk.

The Western Tidewater Water Authority's board of directors approved a contract in July that allows the county and Suffolk to buy and share up to 15 million gallons of raw water per day for 40 years. The deal brokered by the regional authority - which is made up of Isle of Wight County and Suffolk - will give the county access to 3.7 million gallons of water daily by 2048.

The board's vote Thursday essentially guarantees that the county will be financially obligated for its share of the contract if the water authority should ever dissolve. The Suffolk City Council approved a similar resolution on Wednesday, both at Norfolk's request.

Smithfield Supervisor Al Casteen cast the dissenting vote, saying he hasn't been convinced the county will need so much water in the future.

Even if Isle of Wight wanted to back out of the contract, it will still be liable to cover its full share of the deal, said Isle of Wight supervisor Stan Clark.

The controversial water deal has become a source of ire among some residents, who have questioned the secrecy of the negotiations, the county's plans to pay for the project and the accuracy of the county's long-range water projections.